db2018

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Hello, I have just received an invitation for an interview from one of the programs I applied to. Although the email sounded very positive, I don't think that it is an official offer of admission and that I could still be rejected. What I was wondering is that if this is normal because I've never heard of interviews being part of the admissions process for Ph.D in Economics. I am happy that at least I've managed to be selected for the interview process but wondering at the same if some students would have been accepted already without the interview process. It would be of great help if anyone who knows anything about the process could give any insights and advice on preparing for the interview eg. what kind of questions I might get asked. Thank you all.

I see. I have a working paper going on with two professors right now for which I have gotten research grant during the summer. I hope that would help. Unfortunately, though, I'm an international student so I won't be able to apply for the positions at the Fed. But thank you for your recommendations and insight!

Hi guys, As a back up in case I do not get into any of the PhD programs I really want to go to, I am planning on applying to RA positions at IMF/World Bank/NBER etc. Is anyone familiar with the recruiting process or know what I should be doing to make myself competitive? I've heard how it works at World Bank is that if you know an economist there then he/she can just take you as their RA, is that correct? Also, any recommendations for other institutions besides those three above for a RA position before PhD? Thanks in advance!

Thank you for your input applicant12! I think it will most likely going to be an "under-review" status by the time I submit my application. Do you think that would be helpful as well?

Hey minskymoment, thank you for your input. Can I ask you if you did your RAship at either Fed/NBER? Taking 2 years as an RA at either one of them would also be a great option for me. If yes, would you mind evaluating my profile for those positions based on your experience?

PROFILE: Type of Undergrad: Top 50 LAC Undergrad GPA: 3.83/4.0 Major: Mathematics, Economics Minor: Computer Science (but does not show on my transcript) GRE: Q: 168, V:155 Math Courses: Multivariable Calculus (A) Discrete Mathematics (A) Linear Algebra (A, but taken during a summer at a CC) Probability and Statistics 1 (A) Real Analysis (A) Econ Courses: Intro Micro (A-) Intro Macro (A) Intermediate Micro (A) Intermediate Macro (W, but will take it again this fall with my advisor) Econometrics (A-) Independent Study (A) Computer Science Courses: Intro to Comp Sci 1,2 (A) (A-) Data Structures and Problem Solving (A-) Computer Organization and Architecutre (A-) Theoretical Foundation of Computer Science (A-) Other Courses: General Chemistry w/ Lab (A) Intro to Physics (A-) Letters of Recommendation: 2 from professors that I will be doing research with this summer (expect to be strong) 1 from professor from Comp Sci department (expect to be semi-strong) Research Experience: -Spending this semester doing Independent Study which is basically like a RA -Going to do Student-Faculty Collaborative Research in the summer with two of my professors mentioned above, and it will most likely going to be under review at journals by the time of application deadlines but is feasible to be published (top 50 Journals) and, if published, I will be listed as co-author Teaching Experience: Tutor at the "Quantitative" center at my school (Fall 2017 to present) Research Interests: N/A Applying: First Choice: BU, BC, Columbia(although this one is probably a very long shot) Others: University of Washington ,UVA, USC, Georgetown Safety: Don't know yet (recommendations will be appreciated ) Worries: Even though my letters from two of my professors are expected to be strong, but they are relatively unknown and both assistant professors at a small liberal arts school. Is it better to get an okay letter from a relatively well-known professor than a strong letter from a relatively unknown professor? I always thought the former would be better but please share your opinions! Any evaluations/input would be appreciated!

Okay it sounds like you want to argue that I am probably not a strong student and therefore having this problem. But I consider myself a strong student not based on my personal opinion but based on professors' take on. The reason why this whole situation is frustrating is because if I happen to get anything below A-, this would be my only course that I have not gotten an A or A- in. That is why I am considering dropping it and doing better it in later. My adviser was actually the one who brought up dropping it in the first place, not that I am trying to blame anything on my adviser at all. Just saying. And I just simply didn't know what the cost of having a W on my transcript. Like you said Adcoms have no way of knowing those caveat, so I was also wondering if mentioning it in the rec letter and doing better would even out the W. FYI: I have gotten A's in all my math courses, which was one of the reasons my adviser considered just dropping it and explaining the situation in my application. But thanks for your input anyway.

Hey minskymoment, thank you for your input. May I ask which classes those were? Like were they econ classes?

I said "hard time" because I didn't want to explicitly talk about every detail this professor is doing. Almost everyone in his class filed a complaint together to the department chair hoping that he changes a little bit. But I get what you mean. I am certainly ready for a challenging class but I just hate professors that are just so indifferent about teaching and blatantly doesn't give a crap in classes.

Hi everyone, I am currently a junior and taking intermediate macro theory this semester. I am a math and econ double major. But the problem is that this professor who's teaching my intermediate macro is just giving everyone a very hard time and no one is doing too well (he's on his two-year term at my school and this is his last semester lol). I was wondering if dropping this class and getting a W in it would significantly hurt my chances of getting to top 20 phd programs? I will be re-taking the course with my advisor in the coming fall, and I expect to do well in that class maybe my advisor could even mention in the recommendation letter that I am doing it fine (assuming that I do) in that class. Let me know what you guys think! FYI: I have gotten good grades in other challenging courses including multivariable calculus, real analysis, comp sci courses, etc.

PROFILE: Type of Undergrad: Small LAC Undergrad GPA: 3.84/4.0 Major: Mathematics, Economics Minor: Computer Science (but does not show on my transcript) GRE: Q: 168, V:155 Math Courses: Multivariable Calculus (A) Discrete Mathematics (A) Linear Algebra (A, but taking during a summer at a CC) Probability and Statistics 1 (A) Real Analysis (A) Econ Courses: Intro Micro (A-) Intro Macro (A) Intermediate Micro (A) Intermediate Macro (A-) Econometrics (A) Computer Science Courses: Intro to Comp Sci 1,2 (A) (A-) Data Structures and Problem Solving (A-) Computer Organization and Architecutre (A-) Theoretical Foundation of Computer Science (A-) Other Courses: General Chemistry w/ Lab (A) Intro to Physics (A-) Letters of Recommendation: 2 from professors that I will be doing research with this summer (expect to be strong) 1 from professor from Comp Sci department (expect to be semi-strong) Research Experience: Spending this semester doing Independent Study which is basically like a RA Going to do Student-Faculty Collaborative Research in the summer with two of my professors mentioned above, and it is feasible to be published (top 50 Journals) and, if published, I will be listed as co-author Teaching Experience: Tutor at the "Quantitative" center at my school (Fall 2017 to present) Research Interests: N/A Applying: Reach: Columbia, NYU, Duke, Brown, UCLA Range: Boston College/Univ, Penn State, UVA, University of Washington, USC, Georgetown Safety: Don't know yet (recommendations will be appreciated :)) Worries: Even though my letters from two of my professors are expected to be strong and in favor, but they are relatively unknown and both assistant professors at a small liberal arts school. Is it better to get an okay letter from a relatively well-known professor than a strong letter from a relatively unknown professor? I always thought the former would be better but please share your opinions! Any evaluations/input would be appreciated!:)